Crystal Palace could earn windfall if defender makes Premier League return

https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/celebrates-scoring-teams-first-goal-904735876.jpg?strip=all&quality=100&w=1920&h=1080&crop=1

06/30/2024 11:14 AM

Crystal Palace can expect a significant windfall in cash should a Premier League club complete a deal for Lyon star Jake O’Brien.

Several clubs are interested in O’Brien, who could make a return to the Premier League this summer and earn Crystal Palace some serious cash.

O’Brien never played for Palace but could make them millions before the summer ends

AFP

The Eagles sold O’Brien to Lyon last summer, with the French club owned by Palace co-owner John Textor.

According to the Daily Mail, the south London outfit included a 25 per cent sell-on clause and Lyon have priced the 6ft 6ins centre-back at £15million.

West Ham are the frontrunners for O’Brien’s signature, who made 32 appearances last season and scored five goals, three of which were headers.

Everton are also said to be in for the Republic of Ireland international, as well as Borussia Dortmund.

Should Lyon land their asking price of £15m, Palace would be entitled to 25 per cent of that fee which stands at £3.75m.

And that would be a welcome fee, considering they sold the 23-year-old for £850,000 last August, representing a massive boost on their original transfer.

O’Brien initially joined Palace on loan from Irish club Cork City in 2020 before the deal was made permanent a year later.

However, he never played for the Eagles and was instead loaned out to Swindon Town and Belgian outfit RWD Molenbeek.

Julen Lopetegui is keen for a reunion with Kilman but O’Brien is also on his wish list at West Ham

Getty

After an impressive season in the Challenger Pro League, Lyon made their move for the defender where his performances have continued to improve.

West Ham are desperate for a defender this summer with new boss Julen Lopetegui eyeing his old captain at Wolves Max Kilman, though an initial bid was rejected.

If a deal cannot be clinched with Wolves, the Hammers will move swiftly on to other targets – of which O’Brien is one of the top alternatives.

Everton are also desperate to bolster their back line with Ben Godfrey leaving this week for Atalanta, while Mason Holgate is expected to depart this summer too.

That would leave the Toffees with just three centre-backs in Jarrad Branthwaite, Michael Keane and James Tarkowski, the latter duo being aged 31, while the former has been linked with a move to Manchester United.